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The Compulsion to Compare Yourself to Others (Seneca: Letter #123 - On the Conflict Between Pleasure and Virtue)

The Compulsion to Compare Yourself to Others (Seneca: Letter #123 - On the Conflict Between Pleasure and Virtue)

FromThe Stoic Jew


The Compulsion to Compare Yourself to Others (Seneca: Letter #123 - On the Conflict Between Pleasure and Virtue)

FromThe Stoic Jew

ratings:
Length:
14 minutes
Released:
Apr 14, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Synopsis: In today’s episode we continue reading Seneca’s Letter #123. In this excerpt he discusses what we might view as a very “modern” problem, namely, desiring possessions simply because everyone else seems to own them. As value as this lesson is in its own right, I think it applies equally to things that really matter, such as our learning, our service of Hashem, and how we live. This lesson was first introduced to me by my 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Wilkinson, whose lesson from the 1st day of 3rd grade I recount and apply to the subject at hand. In tomorrow’s episode we’ll read Seneca’s advice about how NOT to be seduced by the compulsion to compare oneself to others.Sources:- Seneca, Letter #123: On the Conflict Between Pleasure and Virtue- Ms. Wilkinson’s lesson from Day #1 of 3rd grade (baal peh)----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------Stoic texts:The Meditations of Marcus AureliusLetters from a Stoic Master (Seneca)The Discourses of EpictetusThe Enchiridion (Handbook) of Epictetus----------Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweissBlog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.comSupport the show
Released:
Apr 14, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

My name is Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss. I am, first and foremost, an Orthodox Jew. My primary area of focus is the teachings of Shlomo ha'Melech (King Solomon) in Mishlei (Proverbs) and Koheles (Ecclesiastes). I also consider myself to be a student of the Stoic masters: Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. Over the past two decades I have been exploring the relationship between Judaism and Stoicism - where they overlap, where they differ, and how they complement each other. This year I started a daily reading of Marcus Aurelius with an aim to explore these questions. I'll read a passage from Aurelius's Meditations and then muse (or meditate aloud) on my thoughts about what he said and what the Torah would have to say. As Seneca taught: "Each day acquire something that will fortify you against poverty, against death, indeed against other misfortunes as well; and after you have run over many thoughts, select one to be thoroughly digested that day" (Letter #2). If this podcast serves that purpose, then it will have been of value.